Universal’s “Fast & Furious 6,” meanwhile, kicked off its worldwide release in the U.K. and Ireland with a record-breaking No. 1 opening in that territory.

The film grossed an estimated $13.8 million and is Universal’s biggest three-day opening weekend of all time in that market, topping the $13.1 million taken in last year by “Les Miserables.” It opens in North America on Friday.

The "Gatsby" first-weekend haul is three times higher than the total "Moulin Rouge" managed when it opened in the same markets in 2001. In all, "Gatsby" has brought in $132 million at the worldwide box office.

Russia was the highest-grossing market for "Gatsby," which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, with $6.2 million. The U.K. ($6.1 million) and France ($4.7 million) were next.

Paramount was determined that “Star Trek Into Darkness” would find its footing overseas after more than a decade of the film not connecting with foreign audiences, and it has. “Into Darkness” is ahead of its 2009 predecessor “Star Trek” by more than 80 percent.

Russia was the best opening market for the film with $8 million, four times better than “Star Trek.” It has run up impressive two-week total in the U.K. ($24 million), Germany ($12.5 million) and Australia ($10.1 million, with China and Korea to come in two weeks.

Fox rolled out is animated “Epic,” one week ahead of its U.S. debut. It brought in a strong $14.5 million from 16 markets. Mexico led the way with $3.5 million.

The studio’s “The Croods” added another $10.6 million to raise its international total to $375.8 million and its worldwide haul to $552 million.